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Ocampo says ICC to seek Kenya probe
The International Criminal Court prosecutor Moreno Ocampo addresses a press briefing outside Harambee House, Nairobi where he said he will request The Hague to allow him open investigations into the post election violence. He is flanked by President Kibaki (right) and Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left). Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI
In Summary
- Mr Ocampo said he will be requesting the Hague to allow him open investigations into the chaos next month.
- President and PM says Kenya committed to work with the ICC.
The International Criminal Court will seek to begin investigations into the Kenya post election violence, its prosecutor said on Thursday.
Mr Moreno Ocampo told a news conference at the end of a closed door meeting at Harambee House, Nairobi with Kenya principals President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga that he had explained his mandate to the leaders and how he plans to execute it.
"I have informed them that the crimes committed in Kenya are crimes against humanity and the gravity is there, therefore I should proceed," said the prosecutor.
He said that he will request the Hague to allow him open investigations into the chaos.
"So I informed them, in December I would request to the judges of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation and that is the process established by the Rome Treaty," he said.
The 2002 treaty established the ICC, a permanent court set up to try individuals for genocide, war crimes and other major human rights violations.
In a joint statement with the PM, President Kibaki said the Kenya Government remains committed to cooperating with the ICC.
"The government is fully committed to discharge its primary responsibility in accordance with the Rome Statue to establish a local judicial mechanism to deal with perpetrators of the post election violence," said President Kibaki at a news conference after the meeting.
"We also remain committed to cooperate with the ICC within the framework of the Rome Statue and the International Crimes Act."
The President described the talks with the ICC prosecutor as "frank and candid."
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said that the government will work hard to introduce reforms to avoid a situation that will take the country back to a similar position as last year.
He said the government will cooperate with the court so that "those who bear responsibility for the post election violence are brought to justice."
The Harambee House meeting between Mr Ocampo and the principals started shortly after 11 a.m and was attended by Attorney General Amos Wako, ministers Mutula Kilonzo (Justice), Prof George Saitoti (Internal Security), James Orengo (Lands) and Moses Wetangula (Foreign).
The post election violence that rocked the country was sparked by a disputed presidential election in 2007 that left at least 1,300 people dead and a further 650,000 uprooted from their homes. The latter were forced to live in camps, which the President ordered closed in September.
A peace deal negotiated by former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan saw Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga agree to share power under a coalition government.
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Just get it straight everyone!! When we talk of sin there is no small sin and big sin. Sins are equal and it will only be fair if those who provoked the the violence by manipulating the results of that election are tried and treated same as those who killed. Otherwise no justice if that is not done. Refer to the teaching of our Lord in the Bible.
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I watched that press conference and saw 3 people: one was confident and clear and the other two did looked lost and cowardly, hardly a picture of strong resolute leadership. As to who is who, I leave it to your imagination.
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The ball is now sqaurely in the Government Court they have to move with speed or Ocampo will act accordingly
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